Earl N. ‘Gov’ Yearick

EARL YEARICK

Earl N. “Gov” Yearick, 78, of Centre Hall, passed away Dec. 29, 2025, at Hershey Medical Center. He was born on Aug. 1, 1947, in Bellefonte, to the late Earl and Betty (Houser) Yearick.

He is survived by a son, Jody L. Yearick, of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; and a daughter, Claire Sweet, of Golden, Colo.; a grandson, Lance Yearick (Dakota), of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; a nephew, Fred Yearick, Jr., of State College, Pa.; a niece, Lisa Yearick, of Rebersburg, Pa.; and a great-nephew, Tanner, of Rebersburg. Also surviving is his long-time companion, Sissy Prough.

He was preceded in death by his father, Earl N. Yearick, Sr.; his mother, Betty Ann (Houser) Yearick; his brother, Fred Yearick, Sr.; and a son, Brian Wentzel.

Gov was a 1965 graduate of State College Area High School, where he played baseball and wrestled. Out of high school, he worked at McClellan’s Garage in State College, then he worked briefly at Erie Tech. He worked for several years with the Ostro Shoe Company, transferring to different locations across PA and Ohio.

Gov developed a love for motorcycles in the early 1970s and took a position at Two Wheels Cycle Shop, until the business ended abruptly in 1975. In 1976, he went on to start his own business by opening #1 Cycle Center HD, located in Pleasant Gap, Pa. He sold only four motorcycles in the first year. He remained there until 1990, increasing the business until he had outgrown the building that he was leasing.

EARL YEARICK

Gov then built and moved to the second site of the dealership, located on 322 in Centre Hall, Pa. In the next 10 years, sales and service would grow dramatically. By the year 2000, it was time to expand to an even larger building. He bought a property close to the second location and built the 30,000 sq. ft. building that would become the current #1 Cycle Center dealership. He was selling motorcycles in record numbers and staffing 30 employees.

Gov was ranked Master Dealer with Harley Davidson in 1982 and ranked number one Harley dealer in the country in 2003. He earned awards through 2006, including Bar & Shield — Bronze Circle of Achievement (1997), Bar & Shield — Gold Circle of Excellence (2002), Special Performance — Vehicle Sales — Regional (2003), Bar & Shield — Gold Circle of Excellence (2003), Special Performance — Service Excellence — Regional (2004), Bar & Shield — Gold Circle of Excellence (2004), Bar & Shield — Silver Circle of Achievement (2005), and Bar & Shield– Bronze Circle of Achievement (2006).

Though Gov enjoyed walking and weightlifting, most of his hobbies were motor-related. He was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and raced dirt flat track for 20 years. He then went on to dirt track car racing for 15 years. He raced late model cars, Thunder cars, semi-late and pro stock. He was a skilled driver and was honored as Rookie of the Year at age 56 at Port Royal Speedway.

Gov loved racing so much that he began expanding his property to include areas for motorcycle and car building, and even had an oval track put in for practice. Yearick’s Iron Horse Ranch now includes a race shop, paint shop, huge barn, round house (designed by him), as well as his private home where he resided for over 20 years. Yearick’s Iron Horse Ranch is also home to 322 Self Storage, a secondary business he started in 2003.

Gov liked projects and had a creative nature. He was always changing and improving all aspects of his business. The buildings on the estate all followed the same style. He was proud of his accomplishments and always glad to show a friend around and share everything he’d built.

Gov collected vintage motorcycles and classic cars and amassed quite an impressive collection over the years. He had a passion for anything motor-related and enjoyed attending car shows and motorcycle rallies all over the country. He especially enjoyed going to Sturgis Bike Rally in South Dakota, Bonneville Salt Flats, Viva Las Vegas and drag races from Beaver Springs to Bakersfield. He was known to take the big rig to his second home in Glendale, Ariz., where he would often spend the winters. While there, he loved meeting up with his friends from out west, and they all enjoyed attending car races and shows together.

He was a lifetime member of Harley Owners Group (HOG), the Elks and Moose Lodge in Bellefonte. He was also a member of the Centre Hall Legion Post #779.

Gov was a Christian with a strong faith. He was a member of Brethren in Christ Church in Colyer. He was proud to call his Pastor, Darrell Smucker, one of his close friends. He also shared a close bond with his friend, Chad Stover, who he could count on at any time for anything. Gov enjoyed it when people stopped and visited him at work. He loved to chat and always had a story to share.

A public viewing will be held on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc., 206 N. Spring St., Bellefonte.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, at 2 p.m., at the funeral home with Pastor Darrell Smucker officiating. Burial will follow at Zion Cemetery, Walker Township, Pa.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Colyer Brethren in Christ Church, 105 Colyer Road, Centre Hall, PA 16825.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.wetzlerfuneralhome.com